Federal Contract Alert: OPTICAL ALIGN INSTRUMENTS (SOLE SOURCE)(WOSB) — DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME SHIPYARDS.DLA MARITIM
DLA Maritime Optical Alignment Instruments Sole Source WOSB Contract
DLA Maritime at Puget Sound is seeking a women-owned small business to supply optical alignment instruments. This is posted as sole source, which means the contracting officer has already identified a specific vendor deemed capable of meeting the requirement. That vendor is likely you if you're reading this, or the contract is already locked in. Either way, understand what you're looking at before investing bid preparation time.
Who Can Bid: Set-Aside and NAICS Details
This is restricted to Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB). You must hold current WOSB certification—SBA 8(a) status does not substitute. Your company must be registered in SAM.gov under NAICS 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing). If you're manufacturing, modifying, or supplying optical alignment instruments for naval maintenance, this code fits. Verify your active SAM registration and WOSB certification dates before the deadline; a lapsed cert kills your eligibility instantly.
What the Work Actually Involves
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard maintains and overhauls naval vessels. Optical alignment instruments—theodolites, laser alignment systems, collimators, and similar precision tools—are critical to hull work, machinery alignment, and weapons system installation. This contract likely covers supply, repair, calibration, or replacement of these tools. The sole-source designation suggests the government either has an existing relationship with a known supplier or the requirement is too specialized for open competition. That detail matters for your decision: if you're not already doing this work with DLA Maritime, a sole-source award is nearly impossible to win as a newcomer.
Key Deadlines and Where to Look
The deadline is 21 July 2026 at 16:00 Pacific time. The solicitation is posted on SAM.gov (link above). Read the full RFQ on SAM—the notice summary is always skeletal. Check GovWin IQ (https://iq.govwin.com) and Bloomberg Government (https://about.bgov.com) for competitive intelligence. Look for prior awards to the same NAICS at Puget Sound to see who currently supplies these instruments and whether the incumbent is being extended or replaced. If the incumbent is still performing, a sole-source extension is likeliest.
How to Respond: The Real Calculus
First, contact the contracting officer listed in the SAM notice. Ask directly: is this truly open to new vendors, or is the requirement currently met by an existing supplier? A honest conversation saves hours. If it is open, obtain the full Statement of Work and technical specifications immediately. Optical alignment instruments are precision items—if you don't currently stock or service them, you can't overnight build supplier relationships. Second, confirm your inventory, repair capability, or distribution rights. Third, submit a quote by the deadline with your WOSB certification attached and your SAM registration number visible.
CMMC & DFARS Compliance Checklist
DLA Maritime work with naval vessels touches controlled unclassified information (CUI) and technical data. You will likely be required to meet CMMC Level 1 at minimum, possibly Level 2 depending on the statement of work. Before bidding, review the solicitation for DFARS clauses 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting) and 252.204-7019 or 252.204-7020 (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency). These clauses are almost always included in DLA work.
Confirm your SPRS (Security Posture Review System) self-assessment score is current and accessible. Have your CMMC Assessment Maturity Model Certification (if Level 2 required) or completed self-assessment for Level 1. Document your incident response plan, employee security training records, and CUI handling procedures in writing. If you're a first-time DLA supplier, assume you'll need proof of these controls in place before award. Don't bid if you can't demonstrate basic CUI protections within 30 days.
Three Actionable Tips
- Call the contracting officer before bid day. A sole-source RFQ is often a courtesy notice for an existing vendor. Ten minutes on the phone beats days of proposal writing if the deal is already won.
- Verify your WOSB certification and SAM registration now. An expired certification discovered on 20 July costs you the opportunity. Check both today.
- Source your instruments and build your quote with lead times visible. DLA needs these tools quickly. If your supplier needs 8 weeks, flag that in your proposal and propose interim rental or loaner stock.
Sign up for GovEdge Weekly (https://govcontract.clicksecurity.net/) to receive curated federal opportunities matched to your business profile every week.